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Mandrake Armory Brig
Gorget Kit Assembly
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Thank you for choosing a do it
yourself brig gorget kit from Mandrake Armory. It is a multi-size
item, and will accommodate many size necks with some judicious trimming.
Each half of the gorget is identical, overlapping the other.
This photo essay should help
explain the process of assembling your kit into a useable piece of
armor, if you still have questions, please feel free to contact us at
orders@windrosearmoury.com
Please note: We have made
some improvements to the design that make it easier to put this kit
together but do not have the necessary photos to coincide with the
improvements. The written directions have been adjusted to include these
changes but the photos still reflect the old methods. We have left the
old photos in anyway to give you a basic visual of the process and what
the piece should look like after each step.
For larger images of the
pictures, please click on the thumbnail. |
Your kit should include the
following:
- 14 Aluminum Bib Plates
- 2 Leather Bibs, with assembly holes
- 2 Leather collar pieces, with assembly
holes
- 4 D-Rings with mounting tabs
- 34 Short 2-piece rivets
- 12
Long 2-piece rivets
- 2 Leather strings for tying the completed
halves on
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| Each of the 14 plates is held into
the bib with two short 2-piece rivets. |
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| Orient the plate on the
leather, the larger end of the plate towards the edge without hole, then
push a rivet through from the leather side and up through the hole in
the plate. The rivet should be supported on a hard solid surface like an
anvil. Place the cap on the rivet and strike with hammer making sure to
strike straight down. |
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| Set the next rivet in the plate in
the same fashion, working your way around each bib until all 14 plates
are mounted. |
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| Next, mount the D-Rings to
the neck plate, inserting a long rivet through the plate on the D-ring and then
through the leather. |
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| Carefully turn the leather over,
rest it on a solid surface, place a cap on the rivet and finish it in
the same manner as the previous ones.
Install all 4 D-rings into the appropriate holes on the neck plate. |
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| Next it is time to join the neck
and bib portions, using the same riveting techniques as previously. |
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| Starting in the center,
put a long rivet in from the outside, neck plate first, then into the wavy upper
edge of the bib. |
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Place a cap on top of the rivet and set as previously making sure to strike
straight down on the cap. |
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| Move out from the center hole,
pulling the bib leather tight and stretching it over each rivet and
setting the rivet. |
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| Swearing sometimes helps to keep
the caps on the rivets during this step, but be sure not to overdo it as
it may cause warpage. |
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| Finished half will look like
this, then you only have to assemble the other side! |
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| Using the leather string, tie each
side closed, long side of the leather tucking under the short side.
Pad as necessary, and trim top edge for neck clearance if necessary.
Once you have dialed the fit in, many customers find it easiest to rivet
one side of the gorget closed and tie only one side. |
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We hope this essay will help
you get your kit put together with a minimum of trouble and you enjoy
your new gorget.
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